#39: ‘A Weekend Of Fun And Hard Training’ - Island Fight Camp Comes To A Close
The Island Fight Camp was the latest of a string of training camps organized by the MTA for the benefit of all local athletes.
The event saw renowned coach Professor Andreas Christidis and sports psychologist Dora Tzatzaki visit Malta and lead a training camp together with Maltese coach Gianluca Barbara (Iron Taekwondo League).
Athletes from the Iron Taekwondo League and Dragon Academy joined the four-day event alongside Libyan, Estonian, and Greek athletes; 50 total participants.
All participants of the Island Fight Camp 2024.
Andreas Christidis (left) and Gianluca Barbara (right).
“What a weekend of fun and hard training,” said Christidis at the end of the camp.
Christidis, author of ‘Taekwondo & The Child’ is famed for his spectacular talents when working with young children. During camp, he got to do just that. Over the four days, he delivered five remarkable sessions incorporating creative play. Naturally, the participants loved every minute!
A second group (cadets, juniors, and seniors), engaged in a heavier form of training dealing with advanced sparring strategies. It all came together on the final day (Sunday 12th May) with athletes pairing together for simulated sparring situations and, of course, sparring.
Breathing and relaxation techniques by Dora Tzatzaki.
An additional learning experience came about thanks to Dora Tzatzaki.
Tzatzaki, who has a history based in Taekwondo, organized several lessons dealing with the psychology of the taekwondo athlete in their respective sport. This included sessions on breathing and relaxation techniques and one-on-ones spread over the course of the four days.
Dora Tzatzaki (left) and child athlete Emma Lautier, ITL (right).
Since its inception, the Malta Taekwondo Association has organized several local training camps, most notably those that welcomed Rida Salam (FRA), Hadi Mostaan (IRI), Pedro Gormaz (ESP), Marco Carreira (ESP), Carlos Esteves (GER), Steven Turner (GBR), Vladan Nikodijevic (SRB), Gianluca Barbara (MLT) and Ditmir Vodinaj (ALB).
These, notwithstanding, the additional training camps organized on foreign shores; in countries such as Greece, Albania, and Turkey.
Christidis’ contribution to the development of Malta’s local talent became the Association’s latest venture, with promises of more to come.
On behalf of all Maltese members, the Association thanks Andreas and Dora for their knowledge, experience, and time. It also thanks the Libyan, Estonian, and Greek athletes who attended. All of them were able to contribute and share their own experiences.
Finally, the MTA extends its thanks to SportMalta for its support in this event.
